Facile preparation of quantum cutting GdF3 : Eu3+nanoparticles from ionic liquids

Abstract

Microwave reaction of Ln(OAc)₃·xH₂O, Ln = Gd, Eu; OAc = acetate) with and in the ionic liquid [C₄mim][BF₄] (C₄mim = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium) allows the fast and efficient synthesis of small, uniform, oxygen-free lanthanide nanofluorides with excellent photophysical behaviour. For GdF₃ : Eu³⁺ nanoparticles a quantum efficiency of up to 145% was determined.